Largest communication exercise ever hosted at Grafenwoehr Training Area

Nearly 1,400 participants of more than 40 countries and organizations gathered at the Joint Multinational Simulations Center (JMSC) at Grafenwoehr Training Area for the U.S. European Command’s (EUCOM’s) exercise, Combined Endeavor 2010, the world’s largest military communications and information systems exercise, Sept. 2-16.

By Denver Makle, 7th U.S. Army JMTC Public AffairsNov 18, 2014

4 photos: American and Italian technicians work to establish network connections during exercise Combined Endeavor 2010. The exercise was held at the Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC) in Grafenwoehr,

Photo 1 of 4: American and Italian technicians work to establish network connections during exercise Combined Endeavor 2010. The exercise was held at the Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC) in Grafenwoehr, Germany. JMTC has the only Battle Command Center (BCTC) and supporting facilities certified by the Joint Forces Command to conduct joint training. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Tim Chacon) Download full-resolution version

4 photos: Slovak Republic Major Zdenek Horak and fellow military members stand in formation for opening quarters of exercise Combined Endeavor 2010. The exercise was held at the Joint Multinational Training Co

Photo 4 of 4: Slovak Republic Major Zdenek Horak and fellow military members stand in formation for opening quarters of exercise Combined Endeavor 2010. The exercise was held at the Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC) in Grafenwoehr, Germany. JMTC has the only Battle Command Center (BCTC) and supporting facilities certified by the Joint Forces Command to conduct joint training. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Samuel W. Goodman) Download full-resolution version

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – About 1400 participants of more than 40 countries and organizations gathered at the Joint Multinational Simulations Center (JMSC) at Grafenwoehr Training Area for the U.S. European Command’s (EUCOM’s) exercise, Combined Endeavor 2010, the world’s largest military communications and information systems exercise, Sept. 2-16.

“We are here with different types of equipment. We are teaching each other how to use these systems,” said Miha Plevnik from the Slovenia Delegation. “We are getting more and more experience, and in this way we are getting better in communications.”

Communications refers to each nation testing existing signal equipment and computer network functions that could be used for coalition operations for compatibility or non-compatibility. Another benefit -- emerging nations modernize their communications infrastructure and interoperability, which is also useful during emergency response, for example, officials say the 2004 Tsunami relief efforts were supported by Swiss helicopter flight crews with interoperability guides developed and refined during this exercise.

“Improvements in communication and computer network capabilities will not only enhance the readiness of our forces to provide regional stability,” said the U.S. European Command Civilian Deputy, U.S. Ambassador Katherine Canavan. “They will also enable more efficient cooperation among partners across a broad range of activities, including natural disaster response.”

In addition to hosting Combined Endeavor 2010, there are two additional exercises on-going at the site at Camp Aachen, Phoenix Endeavor, which is focused on network-frequency management; Cyber Endeavor, which trains the nations in cyber-defense and information assurance.

“Because of the capacity Grafenwoehr has both in facilities and network capabilities Grafenwoehr became the main operating site,” said Capt. Petero Lole, JMSC’s lead planner. “a forward-site is located in Romania. There are a few networks connecting Romania [Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase] to Grafenwoehr.”

Lole says, the savings are significant for participating nations. The countries did not have to spend funds on transportation costs associated with bringing those goods or providing contract staff to support the exercise.

“We have an existing facility here for participants to fall inside, instead of countries having to travel and stand-up a facility to support the exercise,“ said Lole. “If you look around this room all these computers, tables, chairs and projectors, most countries didn’t have to bring those things here.”

Although a large majority of the countries participating are from Europe, this year, representatives from the Iraq and Afghanistan, are participating to help U.S. Central Command develop a template for a future Combined Endeavor exercise in that region.

“There’s an ”endeavor” now in the Pacific, Pacific Endeavor. There is one in North America that uses South America and Canada to interconnect their network communication systems, said Capt. Jack H. Gaines, EUCOM spokesperson. This exercise that we do here in Grafenwoehr has branched-out world-wide, and every major command is launching their version of it.”

Representatives from Iraq and Afghanistan benefit by participating in this event as they move beyond combat operations toward development and capacity building, which is the next step for the nations. Combined Endeavor 2010 in Europe serves as a dry-run or rehearsal for their own exercise, said Gaines.

Translation Disclaimer

As a convenience to non-English speakers, some content on the U.S. European
Command website may be translated by selecting a different language on the
header. Except where otherwise noted, the language translation is performed
by Google Translate, a third-party online service, and subject to Google
Terms of Service and Privacy policies. Please note that Google Translate
uses computer programs to translate between languages and translations
cannot be guaranteed as exact or accurate. No liability is assumed by U.S.
European Command for any errors, omissions, or ambiguities in the
translations provided on this website. In addition, some website
applications, graphics or files cannot be translated, such as portable
document format (pdf) files. If there are questions about the accuracy of
the translated information, please refer to the English version of the
website.

;

Let us know what you think

We want to hear from you! The commander welcomes your comments and feedback.